Silhouette

Part 4

How easy is it for other people to make decisions for others? How easy is it to take control of someone's life? Don't they think about what that individual will do with his life? What responsibilities does he have? In simple words, how can they so easily take control of other people's lives, change them, or even end them? For God's sake, they have their own identities, and they are solely responsible for their own life decisions. Doesn't the person who takes control of others consider his loved ones? He might have his own life where people love him. Is it really easy to take someone's life? Is it that simple to just put a bullet in someone and end a life? Are people really that heartless these days? Every day, we hear about someone killing someone else, cases of rape, and brutal murders in the name of revenge. Is there no humanity left? Does that person think he is superior to others, able to take someone's life and destroy them? Is life that unimportant now? I saw a news report a few days ago about a 9-year-old who killed his classmate in revenge for disrespect. Is this the world we live in now? Or have I just grown up to understand that it has always been like this? Does that person value respect, revenge, and property more than another person's life? Doesn't that person have any remorse for ending a life and destroying the lives of others who depend on him, like that person's mother and father? Doesn't he think about how the parents will feel after raising a small bundle of flesh and bones into a grown man, providing care, love, and life lessons, only to have him disappear and leave them alone in this world?

Doesn't that person feel awful for taking a mother's child away from her? Can't that person feel the sorrow and grief it will cause the parents and his loved ones? I can see all this pain, grief, and sorrow in Justine's mother's eyes as she cries uncontrollably at his funeral. I can see the true sorrow in his parents' eyes and the pain in his sister's eyes as she tries to console her mother. Justine was truly loved by his family. I can see the real unconditional love that I was never able to experience, not even from my own family. How magnificent is it that someone receives this type of love, only to be called away from this earth too early? Why do these lucky people have to leave? Why, God? I know it's because of me. I can't deny the guilt in my gut when I see his family. If I had not been careless and had adhered to the rules, he would still be here with his loved ones. It should be me in that coffin. Perhaps no one would have cried for me like his parents are doing, but Justine deserved to live. He did nothing wrong; he just lived his life as he should have.

I wiped away a single tear as I watched Justine's mother cry for her beloved son. The ceremony was beautiful and fitting for someone so loved. Justine deserved this tribute, and it was clear from the ceremony that his family and friends deeply respected him. I was sitting with Lou and other colleagues from the office, who were also close friends of Justine. Everyone adored him. Even among all these people, I couldn't share the same grief. I felt like an outsider in the crowd, burdened by my own guilt.

"I'm really going to miss him; he was such a lovable person," Lou whispered beside me. A few others nearby murmured in agreement.

"Yeah," I whispered back, though my mind was elsewhere. As friends and family began their speeches, I struggled to focus. Their heartfelt stories about Justine were moving, but each one made my guilt even stronger. Whenever someone shared a funny or loving memory, Justine's mother would cry even harder. To escape this, I looked away and focused on the surroundings-the sky and the trees. The ceremony was held outdoors.

I was watching a flock of birds flying by when I noticed a black SUV pulling up on the street. There were four SUVs with tinted windows, and my heart raced as they surrounded my car. No one got out, but it was clear they were waiting for me. I tried to stay calm and not draw attention from my friends, but Lou quickly noticed my discomfort.

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay?" she asked, her concern evident.

I stammered, "Um... yeah, it's just hard to believe he's really gone."

She gave me a comforting side hug and said softly, "It's going to be okay."

"Yeah, you're right. It's going to be okay," I whispered back, still watching the SUVs.

As the funeral ended, we offered our prayers for Justine and spent some time with his family to offer our condolences. But inside, I was anxious and scared. I left my friends and walked to my car, dreading what might happen next. Two SUVs were parked directly behind my car, and two more were in front. I couldn't see who was inside, but I had a bad feeling about it.

When I reached my car, Mr. Cran stepped out of one of the SUVs behind me. I stopped and looked at him with a blank face, trying to hide my fear. Mr. Cran stood straight and serious in his black suit, his usual attire.

Without any pleasantries, he said in a rough voice, "Follow us."

I nodded, knowing this was coming. Our business needed to be discreet, a quick look and it confirmed that nobody at the funeral noticed us. Everyone was too focused on their own grief.

I got into my car and saw Mr. Cran's SUV following mine in the mirror. The SUVs in front of me started moving, and I followed. I wasn't familiar with the route, which was expected since I had only moved here four months ago. I hoped the destination wasn't too far from my apartment, as it would be a long trip back.

At a traffic signal, my anxiety grew with each stop. I tapped the steering wheel nervously, a habit I have when stressed. I had no idea what this meeting would bring.

We were driving through the busy city, but after about 15 minutes, the surroundings changed. The road became less crowded, and there were fewer buildings. The area grew more deserted, with stretches of empty land and trees closing in around us.

After a while, we came to a tall wall with a gate at the entrance. The gate opened as the first SUV reached it, and I followed closely behind. Inside, I saw a long, curved driveway leading up to a mansion. The house was nice, with a few Roman-style decorations.

As we stopped in front of the mansion, my heart raced. I told myself, 'Stay calm. We have to go through this.' A guard came over and opened my door. Holding the steering wheel tightly, I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. I began walking towards the mansion, trying to stay steady despite the nervousness inside me.